Food storage system

ABSTRACT

A food storage system including a secondary bowl that is adapted to be positioned at least partially on and/or in a main lid. The secondary bowl is adapted to be detachable from the main lid.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/225,351, filed Sep. 2, 2011 and issuing as U.S. Pat. No. 8,720,223 onMay 13, 2014, which claims priority to and is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/046,498, filed Mar. 12, 2008 and issuedas U.S. Pat. No. 8,011,205 on Sep. 6, 2011, which claims priority to andthe benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/894,444, filedMar. 12, 2007, and is a continuation in part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/022,705, filed Dec. 27, 2004. Priority to each of theabove-identified patent applications is claimed and each of the aboveidentified patent applications is incorporated by reference herein as iffully set forth herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

The present invention is generally directed to food containers and, morespecifically, to containers that provide easy storage and transport offood.

Conventional food storage containers are configured to hold a singletype of food. This can be disadvantageous when separate foods are to betransported due to the difficulty in packing, loading, and transportingmultiple containers for use at a single meal.

It may be advantageous to provide a food storage system that ispreferably adapted to allow different foods to be transported withoutusing multiple separate, detached containers.

SUMMARY

Briefly speaking, one preferred embodiment of the present invention isdirected to a food storage system including a main bowl defining a firstfood receiving cavity. A main lid is detachably engageable with the mainbowl. A secondary bowl is positioned at least partially on and/or in themain lid. The secondary bowl is detachable from the main lid. Thesecondary includes thermal energy storage material therein and defines asecond food receiving cavity. The food storage system can separatelyhold food items in the first or second food receiving cavities. Thesecondary bowl is configured so that the thermal energy storage materialcan heat and/or cool food contained in the second food receiving cavity.

In a separate aspect, the present invention is directed to a foodstorage system including a main lid adapted for detachable engagementwith a main bowl. A secondary bowl is positioned at least partially onand/or in the main lid. The secondary bowl is detachable from the mainlid. The secondary bowl includes thermal energy storage material thereinand defines a second food receiving cavity. The food storage system isadapted to hold food items in the second food receiving cavity. Thesecondary bowl is configured so that the thermal energy storage materialis adapted to heat and/or cool food contained in the second foodreceiving cavity.

In a separate aspect, the present invention is directed to a foodstorage system including a main bowl defining a first food receivingcavity. A main lid is detachably engageable with the main bowl. Asecondary bowl is positioned at least partially on and/or in the mainlid. The secondary bowl is detachable from the main lid. The secondarybowl can separately hold food items in the first and second foodreceiving cavities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following description of thepreferred embodiments of the present invention, will be betterunderstood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For thepurpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawingsembodiments which are presently preferred. It is understood, however,that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements andinstrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the twopart container of the present invention; the food storage system isformed by a main lid having a secondary bowl positioned therein; thesecondary bowl includes a sidewall having thermal energy storagematerial therein;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the food storage system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is a partial cross-sectional view of the food storage system ofFIG. 2 and illustrates the secondary bowl being snap fit to the mainlid; a lip extends around the secondary bowl that is pressed through ahole in the main lid to allow the secondary bowl to be detachablyengageable with the main lid; a secondary lid is engaged with thesecondary bowl;

FIG. 2B is a partial cross-sectional view of the food storage system ofFIG. 2 and illustrates the secondary bowl being threaded to the mainlid; at least one thread extends around the secondary bowl that isdetachably engageable with at least one thread that is positioned alongan inner surface of a downwardly depending lid member; a secondary lidis engaged with the secondary bowl;

FIG. 2C is a partial cross-sectional view of the food storage system ofFIG. 2 and illustrates the secondary bowl being twist locked to the mainlid; a lip extends around the secondary bowl that is slid through a slotand then rotated to detachably secure the secondary bowl to the mainlid; a secondary lid is engaged with, the secondary bowl;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of thefood storage system of the present invention; the food storage systemincludes a main lid having a secondary bowl therein that includesthermal energy storage material in the second bowl sidewalls; the mainlid is circularly shaped and the secondary bowl is generallyrectilinearly shaped;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the food storage system of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of the foodstorage system of the present invention; the food storage systemincludes a main lid having a secondary bowl placed at least partiallytherein; the secondary bowl includes thermal energy storage material inthe second bowl sidewall; the main lid and the secondary bowl arepreferably generally rectilinearly shaped;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the food storage system of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fourth preferred embodiment of thefood storage system of the present invention; the food storage systemincludes a main bowl with a secondary bowl located therein; thesecondary bowl includes thermal energy storage material in the secondbowl sidewall; the secondary bowl has a base perimeter that is receivedby a main bowl lip that defines an enclosed area for receiving the baseof the secondary bowl therein; the main and secondary bowls generallyhave a circular shape;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the food storage system of FIG. 7;

FIG. 8A is a partial cross-sectional view of the food storage system ofFIG. 8 and illustrates the secondary bowl being snap fit to the mainbowl; a lip extends around the secondary bowl that is pressed past aconstricting member on the main bowl to allow the secondary bowl to bedetachably engageable with the main bowl;

FIG. 8B is a partial cross-sectional view of the food storage system ofFIG. 8 and illustrates the secondary bowl being threaded to the mainbowl; at least one thread extends around the secondary bowl that isdetachably engageable with at least one thread that is positioned alongan upwardly depending main bowl member;

FIG. 8C is a partial cross-sectional view of the food storage system ofFIG. 8 and illustrates the secondary bowl being twist locked to the mainbowl; a lip extends around the secondary bowl that is slid through aslot and then rotated to detachably secure the secondary bowl to themain bowl;

FIG. 9 is perspective view the fifth preferred embodiment of the foodstorage system of the present invention; the food storage systemincludes a main bowl and a secondary bowl containing thermal energystorage material therein; the secondary bowl sidewall is formed by innerand outer panels with the inner panel defining the second food receivingcavity; the outer panel is integrally formed with the main bowl; themain and secondary bowls have a generally circular shape;

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of the food storage system of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a sixth preferred embodiment of thefood storage system of the present invention; the food storage systemincludes main and secondary bowls each having a generally rectilinearshape; the secondary bowl includes thermal energy storage materialtherein; the secondary bowl has a base perimeter and the main bowlincludes a lip extending from the first receiving cavity and configuredto define an enclosed area for receiving the base of the secondary bowltherein;

FIG. 12 is an elevational view of the food storage system of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a seventh preferred embodiment of thefood storage system of the present invention; the food storage systemincludes main and secondary bowls having a generally rectilinear shapewith the outer panel of the secondary bowl being integrally formed withthe main bowl; the secondary bowl includes thermal energy storagematerial therein;

FIG. 14 is an elevational view of the food storage system of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is an eighth perspective view of an eighth preferred embodimentof the food storage system of the present invention; the food storagesystem included a main bowl having a generally rectilinear shape and asecondary bowl having a generally circular shape; the secondary bowl hasthermal energy storage material in a sidewall thereof; the outer panelof the sidewall of the secondary wall is integrally formed with the mainbowl;

FIG. 16 is a elevational view of the food storage system of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a ninth preferred embodiment of thefood storage system of the present invention, illustrating a single lidcapable of simultaneously sealing the main and secondary bowls; annularprojections extend downwardly toward the secondary bowl to create a sealbetween the main lid and the upper rim of the secondary bow;

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of a tenth preferred embodiment of the foodstorage system of the present invention illustrating a secondary bowlthat is detachable from the main lid; The secondary bowl preferablyincludes thermal energy storage material in its sidewall; The secondarybowl can be completely detached from the main lid for separate coolingand/or heating prior to transport; The main lid is preferably snap fitto the main bowl; and

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the detached secondary bowl of the foodstorage system of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the food storage system of FIG. 18illustrating the detached secondary bowl being used to dispense milkover cereal that is contained in the main bowl; and

FIG. 21 is cross-sectional view of the detached secondary bowl of FIG.18 as taken along the line 21-21 in FIG. 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenienceonly and is not limiting. The words “right,” “left,” “top,” and “bottom”designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Thewords “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and awayfrom, respectively, the geometric center of the food storage system anddesignated parts thereof. The term “food” or “food item”, as used in theclaims and in the corresponding portions of the specification, isdefined as including “one or both of liquid food (such as milk, water.Gatorade, soda or the like) and solid food (such as cookies, cereal,sandwiches, egg salad, or the like). The words “a” and “one” are definedas including one or more of the referenced item unless specificallystated otherwise. This terminology includes the words above specificallymentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

Referring to FIGS. 1-21, wherein like numerals indicate like elementsthroughout, nine preferred embodiments of a food storage system areshown and designated 30:1-30:9 respectively. Briefly stated, the firstthrough third embodiments of the food storage system 30:1-30:3 aredirected to a main lid 32 that is adapted to detachably engage a mainbowl 34. A secondary bowl 36 is positioned at least partially on and/orin the main lid 32. The secondary bowl 36 includes thermal energystorage material 38 therein. The fourth through eighth embodiments ofthe food storage 30:4-30:8 include a main bowl 34 having a secondarybowl 36 positioned therein with thermal energy storage material 38located in the secondary bowl 36.

The main lid 32, the main bowl 34, and the secondary bowl 36, arepreferably made of a polymeric material, such as polyethylene,polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC),polyphthalate carbonate (PPC), or any other suitable material.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, the first through third embodiments of the foodstorage system 30:1-30:3 preferably, but not necessarily, include a mainbowl 34 defining a first food receiving cavity 40. It is preferable thatthe main bowl 34 is generally translucent. While the bowls shown in thedrawings are generally circular or rectangular in shape, those ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate that either the main orsecondary bowls 34, 36 can be of any shape. For example, either of themain or secondary bowls 34, 36 can be irregularly shaped, shaped like aclam shell, shaped like a chili pepper, or have any other shape withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

The main lid 32 is detachably engageable with the main bowl 34. The mainlid 32 preferably has either a generally circular shape or a generallyrectilinear shape. However, those of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate from this disclosure that the main lid 32 can have any shapewithout departing from the scope of the present invention. For example,the main lid 32 can be triangular, irregularly shaped or polygonallyshaped, or the like without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. It is preferable, but not necessary that the main lid isgenerally translucent. Alternatively, the main lid can be opaque or canhave various designs printed thereon.

A secondary bowl 36 is positioned at least partially on and/or in themain lid 32. Referring to FIGS. 2A-2C, the secondary bowl 36 may bedetachable from the main lid 32 as shown in FIGS. 18-21. For example,the secondary bowl 36 may be engaged with the main lid 32 via aninterference fit. Alternatively, the secondary bowl 36 can be secured tothe main lid 32 via a snap fit connection. Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20,the secondary bowl can be generally cylindrically shaped and received ina receiving groove 76 in the main lid 32.

Referring specifically to FIG. 2A, when the secondary bowl 36 is snapfit 43 to the main lid 32, a lip 43A extends generally around at least aportion of the secondary bowl 36. The outer diameter of the lip 43A isslightly larger than the corresponding inner diameter of the hole in themain lid 32. This causes the secondary bowl 36 to be detachably engagedwith the main lid 32 when the secondary bowl 36 is pressed downwardlythrough the hole to form a snap fit connection 43.

Referring to FIG. 2B, when the secondary bowl 36 is threadably connectedto the main lid 32, the secondary bowl includes at least one thread 45Aat least partially therearound. The at least one thread 45A isengageable with another thread 45B on a downwardly depending lid member.As the secondary bowl 36 is screwed into the main lid 32, a threadedconnection 45 is formed.

Referring to FIG. 2C, when the secondary bowl 36 is connected to themain lid 32 via a twist lock 47, a pin 47A is slid through a slot 47Band then turned into a recess 47C. This allows for quick engagement ofthe secondary bowl 36 and the main lid 32.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-6, the secondary bowl 36 includes a sidewall42 containing a thermal energy storage material 38 therein. The thermalenergy storage material 38 is preferably any suitable freezable and/orreheatable material, such as a refreezable gel or the like. It ispreferred that the gel can undergo repeated cycles of freezing andthawing in order to provide cooling. Heat storing materials may also beutilized such that the thermal energy storage material 38 can be placedin a microwave oven to allow the thermal energy storage material 38 toprovide warmth to food.

The sidewall 42 defines a second food receiving cavity 44. It ispreferred, but not necessary that a portion of the main lid 32 form aportion of the sidewall 42 of the secondary bowl 36.

The main lid 32 may have a major surface 46 facing in a first directiongenerally away from the main bowl 34, when the main lid 32 is attachedto thereto. The portion 48 of the main lid 32 preferably extendsoutwardly therefrom in a direction generally opposite to the firstdirection. The portion 48 of the main lid defines an outer wall 50 ofthe sidewall 42 of the secondary bowl 36.

It is also preferred that a panel 52 is shaped to be generallycoextensive with the portion 48 of the main lid 32 forming the outerwall 50 and is attached to the main lid 32 to form an inner wall 54 ofthe secondary bowl 36. The inner wall 52 defines a food receivingsurface for the second food receiving cavity 44 and is generally spacedfrom the outer wall 50 to define a chamber 56 therebetween.

It is preferable that the thermal energy storage material 38 is locatedwithin the chamber 56. It is also preferable that the thermal energystorage material 38 is a gel. The gel may be colored or translucentdepending on the particular esthetic look desired. It is preferred thatthe inner wall 54 is welded to the main lid 32. Alternatively, the innerwall 54 may be secured to the main lid via an adhesive, or by any otherknown method of securing two components of a food storage system.

The food storage system 30:1-30:3 can separately hold food items in thefirst or second food receiving cavities 40, 44. The secondary bowl 36 isconfigured so that the thermal energy storage material 38 can heat/orcool food contained in the second food receiving cavity 44. It ispreferred that the secondary bowl 36 is generally translucent so thatthe secondary bowl 36 has a color of the thermal energy storage material38 therein.

When both the main bowl 34 and the secondary bowl 36 are generallytranslucent, the entire food storage system 30:1-30:3 takes on thegeneral color of the thermal energy storage material 38. This allows forattractive decorative options. It is preferred that the secondary bowl36 is generally centered in the main bowl 34.

The food storage system 30:1-30:3 may include a secondary lid 58 that isdetachably engageable with the secondary bowl 36. It is preferable thatthe secondary bowl 36 include an upper rim 60 for engaging the secondarylid 58. The secondary bowl 36 is preferably located so that the upperrim 60 is substantially adjacent to the major surface 46 of the main lid32. The major surface 46 preferably faces generally away from the mainbowl 34 when the main lid 32 is attached thereto.

Referring to FIGS. 7-16, the fourth through eighth embodiments of thefood storage system 30:4-30:8 of the present invention are shown. Thefood storage system 30:4-30:8 includes the main bowl 34 which definesthe first food receiving cavity 40.

The food storage system 30:4-30:8 includes the secondary bowl 36positioned in the first food receiving cavity 40. It is preferable, butnot necessary, that the secondary bowl 36 is generally centrallypositioned within the main bowl 34. The secondary bowl 36 includes asidewall 42 containing thermal energy storage material 38 therein.

It is preferred that the sidewall 42 is formed by inner and outer panels62, 64. The inner panel 62 defines the second food receiving cavity 44.The outer panel 64 is preferably integrally formed with the main bowl34. It is preferred that the inner panel 62 defines the upper rim 60 forengaging the secondary lid 58. The inner panel 62 is generallyco-extensive with and spaced from the outer panel 64.

It is preferred that the main bowl 34 is generally translucent. It isalso preferred that the secondary bowl 36 is generally translucent sothat the main and secondary bowls 34, 36 have the general color of thethermal energy storage material 38. Alternatively, the secondary bowl 36can be the only bowl that is generally translucent so that the secondarybowl 36 has the color of the thermal energy storage material 38, but themain bowl 34 does not.

The food storage system 30:4-30:8 can separately hold food items in thefirst or second food receiving food receiving cavities 40,44. Thesecondary bowl 36 is configured so that the thermal energy storagematerial 38 can heat and/or cool food contained in the food receivingcavity 44. The secondary bowl 36 is securable in a fixed position withinthe first food receiving cavity 40 when the main and secondary bowls arecovered.

It is preferred, but not necessary, that the main and secondary bowls34, 36 are fixedly attached to each other. Referring to FIG. 8, thesecondary bowl 36 includes a secondary bowl base 66 having a baseperimeter 68. The main bowl 34 preferably includes a lip 70 extendingfrom the first food receiving cavity 40 and configured to define anenclosed area for receiving the base 66 of the secondary bowl 36therein. The secondary bowl 36 may be detachable from the main bowl 34for heating and cooling the thermal energy storage material 38 therein.This allows the secondary bowl to be heated or chilled while the mainbowl 34 is in use.

Referring to FIGS. 8A-8C, when the secondary bowl 36 is detachablyengaged with the main bowl 34, it is preferred that the secondary bowl36 is secured to the main bowl via a twist lock connection.Alternatively, the secondary bowl 36 may be connected to the main bowl34 via a snap fit connection or a threaded connection. Furthermore, thesecondary bowl 36 may be detachably secured to the main bowl 34 usingany known means, such as hook and loop material or the like withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

Referring specifically to FIG. 8A, when the secondary bowl 36 is snapfit 43 to the main bowl 34, a lip 43A extends generally around at leasta portion of the secondary bowl 36. The outer diameter of the lip 43A isslightly larger than the corresponding inner diameter of a constrictingmember 43B located on the main bowl 34. This causes the secondary bowl36 to be detachably engaged with the main bowl 34 when the secondarybowl 36 is pressed downwardly through the constricting member 43B toform a snap fit connection 43.

Referring to FIG. 8B, when the secondary bowl 36 is threadably connectedto the main bowl 34, the secondary bowl includes at least one thread 45Aat least partially therearound. The at least one thread 45A isengageable with another thread 45B on a upwardly depending main bowlmember 45B. As the secondary bowl 36 is screwed into the main bowl 34, athreaded connection 45 is formed.

Referring to FIG. 8C, when the secondary bowl 36 is connected to themain bowl 34 via a twist lock 47, a pin 47A is slid through a slot 47Band then turned into a recess 47C. This allows for quick engagement ofthe secondary bowl 36 and the main bowl 34.

Referring to FIG. 17, it is preferred, but not necessary, that the mainand secondary bowls 34, 36 are sealed using a single lid 32. When asingle lid 32 is used, the single lid 32 includes downwardly projectinggrooves 32A that form a seal with the upper rim 60 of the secondary bowl36. Alternatively, the food storage system 30:4-30:8 can include mainand secondary lids 32, 58. The secondary lid 58 may be detachablyengageable with the secondary bowl 36. The main lid 32 is preferablydetachably engageable with the main bowl 34. The food storage system30:4-30:8 is preferably configured so that, when the secondary lid 58 isengaged with the secondary bowl 36 and the main lid 32 is engaged withthe main bowl 34, that the main lid 32 braces the secondary lid 58 inposition. It is preferred that the secondary lid 58 is decorativelyshaped with a perimeter representing an animal face.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, one embodiment of the present invention operatesas follows. A food storage system 30:1-30:3 can be used to store chipsand salsa for transportation. The chips are placed in the main bowl 34in the first food receiving cavity 40. Then, the main lid 32 is attachedto the main bowl 34 to secure the chips therein. The main lid 32 ispreferably refrigerated or frozen prior to attachment so that thethermal energy storage material 38 in the secondary bowl 36 providescooling to any food in the second food receiving cavity 44. The salsadip is placed in the second food receiving cavity 44 and sealed with thesecondary lid 58. Thus packaged, the chips and salsa are ready fortransport and later consumption thereof.

Referring to FIGS. 7-16 and 20, the fourth through eighth embodiments ofthe food storage system 30:4-30:8 of the present invention operate asfollows. Cookies or cereal 80 are positioned the first food receivingcavity 40 but outside of the secondary bowl 36. Then, milk 78 is pouredinto the secondary bowl 36. The secondary bowl is preferablyrefrigerated or frozen prior to use so that the thermal energy storingmaterial 38 keeps the milk in a chilled state. Than at least one coveris placed over the secondary bowl or over both the secondary bowl 36 andthe main bowl 34. Then the food storage system 30:4-30:8 is ready fortransportation and later consumption of the milk and cookies or cereal.

Referring to FIGS. 18-21 a ninth embodiment of the food storage systemis shown. The secondary bowl 36 is preferably detachably engageable withthe main lid 32. The main lid 32 may be configured to include a groove76 for receiving the secondary bowl 36 to form an interference fit asshown in FIG. 21. The secondary lid 58 may include a spout 72 andmoveable closure element 74 adapted to seal the spout and prevent thepouring of fluid

While various shapes, configurations, uses, and features have beendescribed above and are shown in the drawings for the variousembodiments of the present invention, those of ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate from this disclosure that any combination of the abovefeatures can be used without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. Accordingly, it is recognized by those skilled in the artthat changes may be made to the above described embodiments of theinvention without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. Itis understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to theparticular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover allmodifications which are within the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined by the appended claims and/or shown in the attached drawings.

What is claimed is:
 1. A food storage system, comprising: a main bowldefining a first food receiving cavity; a main lid detachably engageablewith the main bowl; a secondary bowl positioned at least partially or inthe main lid, the secondary bowl is detachable from the main lid,wherein the secondary bowl includes thermal energy storage materialtherein and defines a second food receiving cavity, wherein the foodstorage system can separately hold food items in the first or secondfood receiving cavities, the secondary bowl being configured so that thethermal energy storage material can heat or cool food contained in thesecond food receiving cavity.
 2. The food storage system of claim 1,wherein the secondary bowl is engaged with the main lid via aninterference fit.
 3. The food storage system of claim 1, wherein thesecondary bowl is secured to the main lid via a snap fit connection. 4.The food storage system of claim 1, wherein the secondary bowl includesan upper rim for engaging a secondary lid, the secondary bowl beinglocated so that the upper rim is substantially adjacent to a majorsurface of the main lid, the major surface facing generally away fromthe main bowl when the main lid is attached thereto.
 5. The food storagesystem of claim 1, wherein the thermal energy storage material is a gel.6. The food storage material of claim 1, wherein the main lid isgenerally translucent.
 7. The food storage material of claim 6, whereinthe main bowl is generally translucent.
 8. The food storage material ofclaim 1, wherein the secondary bowl is generally translucent so that thesecondary bowl has a color of the thermal energy storage material. 9.The food storage system of claim 1, wherein the secondary bowl isgenerally centered in the main bowl.
 10. The food storage system ofclaim 1, wherein the main bowl contains cereal and the secondary bowlcontains milk.
 11. A food storage system, comprising: a main lid adaptedfor detachable engagement with a main bowl having a first food receivingcavity; a secondary bowl positioned at least partially or in the mainlid, the secondary bowl is detachable from the main lid, wherein thesecondary bowl includes thermal energy storage material therein anddefines a second food receiving cavity, wherein the food storage systemis adapted to hold food items in the second food receiving cavity, thesecondary bowl being configured so that the thermal energy storagematerial is adapted to heat or cool food contained in the second foodreceiving cavity.
 12. The food storage system of claim 11, wherein thesecondary bowl is engaged with the main lid via an interference fit. 13.The food storage system of claim 11, wherein the secondary bowl issecured to the main lid via a snap fit connection.
 14. The food storagesystem of claim 11, wherein the secondary bowl includes an upper rim forengaging a secondary lid, the secondary bowl being located so that theupper rim is substantially adjacent to a major surface of the main lid,the major surface facing generally away from the main bowl when the mainlid is attached thereto.
 15. The food storage system of claim 11,wherein the thermal energy storage material is a gel.
 16. The foodstorage material of claim 11, wherein the main lid is generallytranslucent.
 17. The food storage material of claim 11, wherein thesecondary bowl is generally translucent so that the secondary bowl has acolor of the thermal energy storage material.
 18. A food storage system,comprising: a main bowl defining a first food receiving cavity; a mainlid detachably engageable with the main bowl; a secondary bowlpositioned at least partially or in the main lid, the secondary bowl isdetachable from the main lid, wherein the secondary bowl includesthermal energy storage material therein and defines a second foodreceiving cavity, wherein the food storage system is adapted to holdfood items in the second food receiving cavity, the secondary bowl beingconfigured so that the thermal energy storage material is adapted toheat or cool food contained in the second food receiving cavity; andwherein the food storage system can separately hold food items in thefirst and second food receiving cavities.